Tag Archives: “music for the holidays”

This is the time of year to spread a little joy and cheer. What better way to do that than with some great music. Whether you’re trying to set the tone at home for a little holiday romance or just have some joyous sounds of praise playing in the house, music is the best place to start.

The power of music is undeniable. It can move us to praise, to dance, or even to cry. It can help us during times of stress and chaos. It even has the ability to push us further when we need that extra oomph to exercise harder or longer. Music is powerful stuff and an integral part of our lives. In today’s Reason for the Season Home Challenge we encourage you to put on your favorite holiday music or any music that you enjoy, and sing and dance. Here is what I’m enjoying for the holiday.

There’s a little bit of everything on these CD’s, everything from Whitney Houston with The Georgia Mass Choir singing “Joy to the World” to some saxophone-led romantic Christmas classics like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “The Christmas Song”. I threw the Motown Anniversary Collection in just because. I mean who can resist Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell singing “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, anytime of the year?

So, put on some music and bring a sweet harmony to your home for the holidays. Enjoy! And let the sounds and rhythms lead you toward joy and peace. Oh, and don’t forget to visit www.wifemotherfirstlady.com for the Reason for the Season FAMILY Challenge.

For the next four weeks leading up to Christmas, HealaSister will participate in the Reason for the Season Challenge. During the holiday season, there is so much focus on buying stuff. Don’t get me wrong, we’re not against giving gifts and making the season jolly. Our intention is just to provide some tips for relieving stress and call to memory that Jesus really is the reason for the season. The challenge is geared to help us focus on Christ and find real joy for the season, instead of spending money. So, for the next four weeks we have partnered with Katy Sykes at www.wifemotherfirstlady.com to challenge readers to focus on the family and the home. HealaSister will post challenges to help you focus on the home and make Christ the center of your home.

This time of year can get a little crazy. Our schedules often overflow with parties, shopping, and other events. Media does everything it can to get us in the spirit of buying. We spend time shopping in packed stores with long lines buying gifts we can’t afford. If we are not careful, the holiday season will be stressful instead of joyous. After all, that’s what we’re really looking for anyway. Joy.

Joy is not something you can buy. You will not find it in jewelry, clothes, or any other stuff. You will not find it at the mall or at a holiday party. Sure, you can have a good time with friends shopping and partying. Getting those designer shoes for half price is a good feeling too but those events supply only temporary excitement and fun. Real joy comes from the joy giver himself, Jesus Christ.

Today I challenge you to take a few minutes to focus on the real reason for the season. Prepare your heart and mind for celebrating the birth of our Savior. Set the atmosphere in your home. I have an area in my home where I pray and thank God. I light candles and meditate on who God is. I thank Him for the gift of Jesus Christ.

Today I’m reading some verses from one of my favorite Christmas hymns; Joy to the World.
Joy to the world, the LORD is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy

After researching this song, I discovered that the author, Isaac Watts, did not write these words with Christmas in mind. It was a poem he wrote to shine light on Christ’s final return. Somewhere along the way it was put to music and today we sing it to honor and celebrate the birth of our Savior. Nevertheless, it fits the occasion and I hope it brings warmth and meaning to your home for the season.
Don’t forget to visit www.wifemotherfirstlady.com for more on the Reason for the Season FAMILY challenge.